Symptoms Older Adults Shouldn’t Ignore

While it might be easy to ignore unusual symptoms, or attribute them to
your increasing age, the fact is they could be signs of serious health
problems.

Your doctor should always check the symptoms listed here. Waiting can
complicate or worsen an existing health condition. Even if you don’t think your
symptoms are serious, your doctor needs to know. Unchecked symptoms could lead
to disability or even death.

Unusual Shortness
of Breath

While chest pain can be a telltale sign of a heart attack, it’s not the
only one. Everyone’s symptoms are different and unique. For example, if you
have to catch your breath after an easy walk, it could be an early sign of a
partial or complete blockage of an artery that carries blood to your heart (coronary ischemia). Both a complete and partial arterial
blockage can cause a heart attack. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you experience chronic or unusual
shortness of breath. If you develop any additional symptoms like pressure or
tightness in your chest, shortness of breath, or dizziness, seek immediate
emergency care.

Sudden Speech
or Balance and Coordination Difficulties

You may notice you are no longer as spry as you once were as you age. But if you find you now have trouble
walking or experience extreme dizziness, and loss of balance and coordination,
it may be a sign of a stroke. Additional worrisome symptoms include:

speech difficulties

slurring of words

changes in vision

weakness or numbness in your face,
arms, or legs

Vaginal Bleeding
After Menopause

You should see your doctor if you experience any vaginal bleeding after
menopause. While some cases of postmenopausal vaginal
bleeding may be less serious than others, the bleeding could indicate a serious
condition like cancer.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence becomes more prevalent with
increasing age. The National Institutes of Health estimate that about 17 percent of men in their 60s
experience ED. As many as 30 million men in the United States experience ED. Besides
the obvious concern for sexual satisfaction, ED can be associated with
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other conditions. While there is usually
a physical cause, ED can also be a response to increased stress or
depression. Men may have a hard time talking to their doctors about this kind
of problem, but treatment is available in most cases.

Constipation

Constipation can be troubling for several reasons. It can lead to
excessive pushing and straining when trying to have a bowel movement. This
increases your chances of developing hemorrhoids. While occasional constipation
is normal and can be more common after age 50, it may signal something is
blocking stool from properly exiting. This could be a tumor, a polyp, or some
other obstruction. Ongoing constipation can lead to a hard stool that packs the
intestine and rectum so tightly that normal pushing is not enough to expel the
stool. This is called fecal impaction.

Bloody or Black
Stools

Stool color can change daily based on your food and medicine intake. For
example, iron supplements and diarrheal medicines like Pepto-Bismol may turn
your stool black or tarry. Anything in the brown or green spectrum is generally
normal, but black or bloody stool is often a red flag. Black stool suggests
bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Maroon-colored or bloody
stool suggests bleeding lower in the GI tract. See your doctor to check for
ulcers, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and other GI conditions.

A Swollen or Discolored
Breast

A hard lump in your breast may be a sign of possible breast cancer.
Other common signs of breast cancer can include swelling, tenderness, or breast
discoloration. Breast cancer is treatable if caught early. Additional symptoms
include nipple discharge and skin changes on the breast. Breast cancer is less
common in men, but they should be mindful of possible cancer signs.

A Skin Lesion That Does
Not Heal

The majority of skin cancers develop on skin areas that are regularly
exposed to the sun, such as the scalp, face, arms, hand, neck, and chest. But
skin cancer can also develop in areas that seldom get sunned like under your
toenails or in the genital area. The three most common types of skin cancer are
melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Skin cancer can affect
anyone, regardless of normal skin pigmentation.. According to the National Institute of Health, most skin cancer appears after age
50.

Never ignore skin lesions or moles. Those that are painful, don’t heal;
or ooze may actually be skin cancer. Other potential signs of skin cancer
include:

a flat, flesh-colored or brown
scar-like lesion

pearly or waxy bump a flat lesion
with a crusted surface

a red nodule; a large brownish
spot with dark specks

small lesions with irregular
borders and parts that look red, white, or bluish in color

Symptoms of Depression

Older adults and their family members tend to focus on physical
ailments, not emotional ones. Seniors are at a greater risk for depression
because they face feelings of loss and loneliness more often. Emotional changes
can come with a spouse’s death, a new health problem, or a general feeling of
helplessness where activities they once enjoyed are now harder or almost
impossible. Symptoms of depression include:

sadness

anxiety

feelings of worthlessness

unusual fatigue

a decreased interest in formerly
enjoyable activities

changes in appetite

loss of sleep

sleeping excessively

If you or a senior-aged family member experiences any of these signs,
seek out a mental health professional. Without proper attention, depression
symptoms and severity can worsen.

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